'Tis true, you get signed off and then have to sign on again when she returns but they have some kind of fast-track procedure so as soon as she notifies them she is back, she will get her money through quickly.

You can be 'excused' from looking for work for two weeks per year, but this only applies if you're staying in the UK. If you're going out of the country, you have to close your claim and then reopen it when you return. You don't lose benefit if you stay in the UK, but you do if you go abroad. HTH.